Flugelhorn: Imogen Whitehead
Composer: Charlotte Harding
Recording engineer, audio mix and master: John Prestage
Video Production: Opal Films
Director of Photography: Zoe East
Camera Assistant: Michael Godsall
Location: Peak Cavern, Derbyshire, UK
Location Assistant: Chris Hanley
With deepest thanks to Dr Pippa Grange, Brené Brown and the Royal Philharmonic Society.
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‘To Stay Open’ for solo flugelhorn was premiered at Romsey Chamber Music Festival, Sunday 30th June 2024.
This work has been generously supported by the Vaughan Williams Foundation.
Charlotte Harding is published by FaberAlt.
www.imogenwhiteheadtrumpet.com
www.charlottehardingmusic.com
Instagram: @imogen_trumpet / @_ceharding_
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“You want all players to be free of overthinking. That’s when they’re in a good place and a good flow.” (Gareth Southgate - England Manager 2016-24)
A few years ago, after being awarded a grant by the Royal Philharmonic Society, I had some sessions with Dr Pippa Grange, a sports psychologist, culture coach and author. Pippa is credited with being an important part of the coaching staff for the England men’s football team when they reached the 2018 World Cup semi-final, helping to break the cycle of penalty shootout defeats in major tournaments. We focused on the links between sport and music, exploring various techniques to reduce anxiety and encourage optimum performance levels, and discussing how the notion of perfectionism often disrupts moments of authentic musical connection.
Pippa featured our discussion in a chapter of her book, ‘Fear Less: How to Win at Life Without Losing Yourself’, before going on to highlight my story in her appearance on Brené Brown’s internationally acclaimed podcast, ‘Dare to Lead’.
I shared all of this with composer Charlotte Harding, who got in touch shortly after with the idea of creating a new work to explore these themes. Charlotte writes:
“I was so inspired that Imogen looked outside of music to gain a different perspective on her practice. As a lifelong sports fan, I have always been fascinated by the connection between athletes and musicians, and how not seeking perfection, but encouraging states of openness and flow so often leads to the best performances and realisations.”
‘To Stay Open’ looks to capture the essence of this - starting with a simple, connecting note between Imogen and her instrument, phrases ebb and flow, seek and develop, before eventually flourishing into expressive, celebratory fanfares of openness and joy.”
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This extract is taken from ‘Fear Less: How to Win at Life Without Losing Yourself’ by Dr Pippa Grange:
”’So, how does the music get made?’ I asked. ‘Do you make it, or does the trumpet make it?’ The trumpeter considered this for some time. ‘We make it together. It comes through me, but the music already exists - it just needs me to breathe and enable it to come to life.’ So the more open you are, the easier it is for you to pass the music into the trumpet?’ I asked. ‘So you can create together?’ ’Yes, yes that’s a hundred percent right. It always flows best when I am open. I hadn’t really considered it as creating together until now.’ 'So the onus for perfection can’t really be all on you and your ability to execute the music. It sounds more like your job is to stay open’.
Book available to purchase at www.penguin.co.uk/books/440518/fear-less-by-grange-dr-pippa/9781785042928
‘Dare to Lead’ - with Pippa Grange.
brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-dr-pippa-grange-on-fearing-less/ (story featured at 58.32’)